Ash tray

ABSTRACT

A self cleaning ash tray including a bowl containing sand, grit or other medium, and means for nutating the bowl to effect a flowing motion of the sand which dispels deposited matter therefrom.

United States Patent [191 Kesinger et al.

m1 3,802,560 .1 Apr. 9, 1974 ASH TRAY,

Inventors: Donald A. Kesinger; Charles C.

Gates, Jr., both of Denver; George H. Jenkins, Littleton, all of Colo.

The Gates Rubber Company, Denver, Colo.

Filed: Dec. 20, 1971 Appl. No: 209,666

Assignee:

References Cited UNITED STATES-PATENTS Mull .Q 209/344 11/1929 Mjolsness 209/303 X 1,858,006 5/1932 Englar 209/33 X 2,479,613 8/1949 Gomez 209/275 2,679,935 6/1954 Manchan 209/235 2,696,302 12/1954 Miller 309/332 3,062,414 11/1962 Morris 222/195 3,119,529 1/1964 Maestrelli 222/202 X 3,149,759 9/1964 -Maw1ey 222/193 3,199,675 8/1965 Muck 209/332 1,779,454 10/1930 Traylor Primary Examiner-Robert Halper Attorney, Agent, or Firm-41. W. Oberg, Jr.; Raymond Fink; Curtis H. Castleman ABSTRACT A self cleaning ash tray including a bowl containing sand, grit or other medium, and means for nutating the bowl to effect a flowing motion of the sand which dispels deposited matter therefrom.

13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figure AIENIEUAPR 9 I974 I SHEET 1. 0F 2 FIG. 3

FIG. I

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PATENIEUAPR 9.1974 3.802.560

sum 2 are I N E N TO R S: DONALD A. KESINGER CHARLES c. GATES JR. GEORGE H. JENKINSIII SAW/7% ATTOR l2;

1 AISH TRAY The invention relates to deposit and Collection receptacles with means for moving deposited matter within the receptacle, but more particularly, the invention relates to ash trays or urns having sand or grit for snuffing cigars or cigarettes. I

Ash trays or urns of the sand receptacle type are widely used. The sand advantageously snuffs cigars and cigarettes almost immediately upon contact therewith to substantially preclude occurrence of fire and accumulation of odors. While the sand receptacle ash trays are relatively free of odor and fire hazards, they must be frequently serviced by manually sifting the sand to remove deposited matter therefrom. In concentrated public areas such as airports or factories, the ash trays must be constantly maintained to avoid unsightly appearances and minimize fire hazards, odors or health hazards. In such situations, the ash trays become an economic burden when full-time employees are hired just to clean the receptacles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention a self cleaning ash tray is provided that includes a bowl or tray containing sand or a grit. The bowl is suspended as a sprung mass. Mechanical or electrical means are provided that nutate, gyrate or shake the bowl about its centroidal axis.

causing the sand to flow in a vortexing or concave manner. The flowing movement of the sand entraps and carries deposited matter to a baffle screen member where the deposited matter is sifted from the sand.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a sand receptacle ash tray that is self-cleaning;

Another object of the invention is to provide an ash tray requiring minimum maintainence and which is suited for use in public areas.

These and other objects or advantages of the invention are further brought forth by the drawings and description thereof wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an ash tray of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional cutaway view taken along the line 2'-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3'-3 of FIG. 2. v

FIG. 4 is an enlargedisometrical cutaway view taken along the line '44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is aside view similar to FIG. 2 showing an alternate form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 4, an ash tray including preferred embodiments of the invention is provided. A container or stand 12 mounts the self-cleaning receptamatter other than cigarettes or cigars through a separate, opening 16. The container may also be adapted for wall, pedestal, or other mountings.

' The self-cleaning receptacle 14 is mounted to the container as a sprung mass by a plurality of biasmemf bers or springs 18 for reasons which will later become apparent. The receptacle includes a bowl 20 for con- .taining sand, grit, or other granular medium 22. Preferably, the bovvl 20 is generally cylindrical and closed at one end with a bottom 24. Other cross-sectional shapes may be used such as squares, ovals, or rectangles. However, a circular cross-section is a geometric shape more readily suited-for the self-cleaning aspects of the invention. The springs 18 are evenly spaced near the circumferential edge of the bowl bottom 24. In the embodiment depicted, four springs are used. It is desirable, but not required, to align the axes of the springs to intersect with the axis of the bowl at a point in a plane near the rim 26 of the bowl. The point of intersection coincides with a node of nutation 28 for the bowl. When the springs are aligned in such a manner, they assert minimum resistant forces to the bowl, and minimum reaction forces to the container when the bowl is nutated as will later be explained.

A screen 30 having a shape that generally conforms to the side of the bowl, is suspended from the bowl rim 26 or the bezel32 of the container. The screen 30 defines a baffle that is spaced from the sides and bottom of the bowl. The screen mesh is smaller than the size of the expected deposited matter but larger than the granular size of themedium placed in the bowl as a medium. A quarter inch mesh screenis satisfactory.

It has been found that twenty mesh sand is a satisfactory granular medium which may be used to extinguish cigars or cigarettes while maintaining the self-cleaning aspects of the invention. Finer sands, such as normally used in prior art smoking urns, will'work but they require more power during the self-cleaning mode. of operation.

When the self-cleaning receptacle 14 is used, the bowl 20 is filled with sand to a point near its rim 26. The bowl 20 is nutated such that its axis generates generally a' cone having its apexat or near the node of nutation 28. The bowl is nutated by any desired means having sufficient energy to impart motion to the sand. The motion of the bowl circulates the sand forming a vortex 34 therein. The sand circulates within the bowl in a toroidal fashion around and through the screen as indicated by the arrows. Matter deposited in the receptacle such as cigar and cigarette butts or chewing gum wrappers is carried by the flowing sand downwardly and around the bottom edge 36 of the screen baffle 30.. Cigars and cigarettes are extinguished as ,they'are engulfed or entrapped by the sand. The matter is carried upwardly by the moving sand and the screen baffle sifts the sand'and precludes deposited matter from flowing toward the center'of the bowl or .vortex 34. Deposited matter accumulates at the sand surface in the area between the screen and bowl rim. Continued operation results in deposited matter accumulating at the rim of the bowl and falling into the container 35. The diameter and height of the bowl are influential in its operation. When the bowl is too shallow, the bowl bottom is exposed at the bottom of the vortex. This makes the sand motion ineffective for properly moving deposited matter. Where the bowl height is too great, sand thetion is less effective and more power is required to nutate the bowl. A bowl having a ten inch diameter and 4 inch height, or similar proportions, is satisfactory whereas a 10 inch diameter bowl having a three inch height is unsatisfactory. Thus, bowls havinga height to diameter ratios less than 3/ or 0.3 are unsatisfactory.

It is not necessary to continually nutate the bowl when the ash tray is in use. It is only necessary to operate the ash tray for short time periods and at time intervals to effect self cleaning. The time periods and intervals of intermittent operation depend on the amount of ash tray usage. It has been determined that an ash tray of the invention having a 10 inch diameter bowl and a four inch height takes approximately three minutes of continued operation to sift deposited matter from the sand at moderate power levels. The sand in the bowl may be easily changed by dumping a new supply of sand in the middle of the bowl while the bowl is nutating. The excess or dirty sand is forced over the rim of the bowl and falls in the container 35 below.

The bowl is nutated or shaken by any desired means to effect a flowing sand movement. Preferably, bowl motion is achieved by electro-mechanical means because of the ready availability of electrical power from batteries or power plants. For the, purpose of attaining minimum noise and vibration, it has been found desirable .to nutate the bowl by means of a rotating magnetic field. Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a nutating means 38 of the rotating magnetic field type is provided. An alternating current magnet 39 is firmly secured to the bowl bottom. Four ell shaped magnetic core members are polarly spaced substantially ninety degrees apart and extend downwardly to define four alternating current pole pieces 40, 42, 44, 46. Pole pieces directly opposite each other, or 180 apart, define operating pairs 40, 44 and 42, 46. Each alternating current pole piece has a pole face, and includes an alternating current coil 48. A direct current magnet 50 is suspended from the alternating current magnet or bowl bottom by at least three beam type springs 52. The springs are spaced substantially 120 apart with their axis forming conical elements that generally intersect to define the node of nutation 28. The direct current magnet 50 includes a direct current field coil 54 and four direct current pole members 56, 58, 60, 62 aligned with and spaced apart from the alternating current pole members. Faces of the direct current and alternating current poles define four substantially equivalent air gaps 64. The alternating or direct current cores may be of a laminated material to promote magnetic continuity between the poles-and minimize hysteresis losses in accordance with standard practices.

The alternating current magnet 39, bowl 20, baffle screen 30, and sand 22 define a nutatable mass; and the direct current magnet 60 defines a reactance mass. It is desirable to have the reactance mass equivalent to or slightly greater than the nutatable mass for the purpose of minimizing transmission of vibrations to the container during use.

When the nutating means of FIGS. 3-4 is in use, electrical power is selectively supplied to the magnets by means of an electronic circuit, not shown. A substantially constant direct current is supplied to the direct current field coil 54 to establish a magnetic flux at the four direct current pole pieces 56, 58, 60, 62. Alternating current is sinusoidally supplied ninety degrees out of phase to alternating current pole piece pairs 40, 44 and 42, 46. The selective alternating current generates a'rotating magnetic field as it fluctuates between successive poles. When pole piece 40 generates a maximum positive magnetic field, its paired pole 40 generates a maximum negative magnetic field. Likewise, pole piece 42 generates a positive magnetic field when its paired pole 46 generates a negative magnetic field. The sequential supply of alternating current to alternating current pole pieces, magnetically induces nutation of both the nutatable and reactance masses about the nutation node. The nutatable mass nutates out of phase from the nutation of the reactance mass in accordance with Newtons laws of motion. The nutating motion of the bowl causes the sand to flow in a manner as previously explained. Electrical power may be supplied intermittently, selectively, or continuously as desired through switches, timers, delay circuits or the like.

ADDITIONAL SPECIES Heretofore, a cylindrical bowl nutated by a rotating electrical field has been described. Other bowl shapes may also operate with shaking motions other than nutating while still effecting sand flow. For example, a rocking motion has been formed to also work for rectangular shaped bowls. When odd shaped bowls are used, it may be desirable to experiment with shaking motions such as rocking, swiveling, or gyrating to effect proper sand movement as indicated by the arrows of FIG. 4.

Other types of mechanical devices may be used to impart proper motion to the bowl. Referring to FIG. 5, a bowl 20 and screen 30 as previously described, is provided. An electric motor 64 has one end 66 firmly attached to the bowl bottom 24. The axis of the motor shaft is coaxially aligned with the axis of the bowl. An eccentric weight 68 is mounted to the motor shaft. The motor rotates the weight generating a dynamic unbalance. The dynamic unbalance nutates the bowl 20 to effect proper sand movement as previously described.

A rocking motion may be induced to the bowl by mounting the axis of the motor perpendicular to the axis of the bowl. A rocking motion has been found to be useful with square or rectangular bowls when the motor axis is also aligned generally parallel to one of the bowl sides.

The foregoing detailed description is made for purpose of illustration only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined from the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a deposit receptacle of the type having a stand that supports an open bowl with side, rim and bottom portions and adapted for containing a granular medium for receiving deposited matter, the improvement comprising:

means for biasedly supporting the bowl from the stand to permit independent movement of the bowl in relation to the stand;

a screen member having a mesh greater than the granular medium, the screen member extending generally downwardly juxtaposed the bowl side portion from near the rim position in spaced relation from the side and bottom portions;

means for supporting the screen member; and

means for shaking the bowl to effect circulating granular medium from the bottom portion, up the side portion and through the screen member sifting the granular medium.

2. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bowl has a height and diameter of a ratio greater than three tenths.

3. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the stand defines a container positioned below and larger than the bowl.

4. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the shaking means nutates the bowl generally about a point near the geometric axis of the bowl in a plane extending near the bowl rim.

5. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the shaking means includes an electric motor having one end mounted to the bowl bottom, saidmotor having a rotatable shaft onto which is mounted an eccentric weight.

6. A receptacle as set forth in claim I wherein said shaking means imparts rocking motion to the bowl.

7. In a deposit receptacle of the type including a stand that supports a bowl containing a sand for receiving deposited matter, the improvement comprising:

means for biasedly supporting the bowl from the stand to permit independent movement of the bowl in relation to the stand;

' a screen member supported by and extending generally downwardly juxtaposed the bowl side portion in a spaced relation from the bowl rim and bottom, said screen member defining a baffle having a mesh of predetermined size; and

means for shaking the bowl to effect a flowing movement of the sand around the baffle,

the shaking means comprising;

an alternating current magnet mounted to the bottom of the bowl and defining a plurality of polarily spaced apart, alternating current pole pieces;

a direct current magnet biasedly suspended from the bottom of the bowl and defining a plurality of direct current pole pieces each juxtaposed to and defining air gaps with the alternating current pole pieces;

means for selectively supplying direct current to said direct current magnet and alternating current substantially sinusoidally and out of phase to said successive alternating current pole pieces to effect nutation of the bowl and direct currentmagnet.

8. A receptacle as set forth in claim 7 wherein the mass of the direct current magnet is generally one-half the mass supported by the bias support means.

i .9. A receptacle as set forth in claim 7 wherein said 6 shaking-means imparts nutating motion to the bowl.

10. A self-cleaning ash tray adapted for use with a granular medium comprising:

a container having an opening at its upper end;

an open bowl biasedly suspended above the opening of the container; said bowl having rim, side and bottom portions, the bowl adapted to contain the granular medium;

. a screen member suspended from the rim portion and extending generally downwardly juxtaposed the bowl side portion at a spaced distance from the side and bottom portions, said screen member having a mesh greater than the granular medium;

means for shaking the bowl in relation to the container to effect, circulating granular medium from the bottom portion, up the side portion and through the screen member sifting the granular medium.

11. An ash tray as set forth in claim 10 wherein said shaking means is capable of impartingnutating motion to said bowl at generally a point along the geometric axis of the bowl in a plane near the rim portion.

12. An ash tray as set forth in claim 10 comprising a bezel supported by thecontainer,'the bezel extending from the container, over the rim portion and screen member at the rim portion.

13. An ash tray adapted for use with a granular medium of predetermined size comprising:

a stand;

an open bow] biasedly suspended on the stand, the

bowl having rim, side, and bottom portions;

an electro-magnet means for shaking the bowl, electromagnet suspended from the bottom portion with bias members having axes which converge generally at a point at a plane near the rim portion;

a screen member extending into the bowl from near the rim portion and spaced from the side and bottom portions a predetermined amount, the screen member having a mesh greater than the granular medium; and

means for mounting the screen member in spaced relation with the bowl;

whereby activation of the electro-magnet means effects relative movement betweenthe biasedly suspended electro-magnet means and bowl, and shaking of the bowl relative to the stand. 

1. In a deposit receptacle of the type having a stand that supports an open bowl with side, rim and bottom portions and adapted for containing a granular medium for receiving deposited matter, the improvement comprising: means for biasedly supporting the bowl from the stand to permit independent movement of the bowl in relation to the stand; a screen member having a mesh greater than the granular medium, the screen member extending generally downwardly juxtaposed the bowl side portion from near the rim position in spaced relation from the side and bottom portions; means for supporting the screen member; and means for shaking the bowl to effect circulating granular medium from the bottom portion, up the side portion and through the screen member sifting the granular medium.
 2. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bowl has a height and diameter of a ratio greater than three tenths.
 3. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the stand defines a container positioned below and larger than the bowl.
 4. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the shaking means nutates the bowl generally about a point near the geometric axis of the bowl in a plane extending near the bowl rim.
 5. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the shaking means includes an electric motor having one end mounted to the bowl bottom, said motor having a rotatable shaft onto which is mounted an eccentric weight.
 6. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shaking means imparts rocking motion to the bowl.
 7. In a deposit receptacle of the type including a stand that supports a bowl containing a sand for receiving deposited matter, the improvement comprising: means for biasedly supporting the bowl from the stand to permit independent movement of the bowl in relation to the stand; a screen member supported by and extending generally downwardly juxtaposed the bowl side portion in a spaced relation from the bowl rim and bottom, said screen member defining a baffle having a mesh of predetermined size; and means for shaking the bowl to effect a flowing movement of the sand around the baffle, the shaking means comprising; an alternating current magnet mounted to the bottom of the bowl and defining a plurality of polarily spaced apart, alternating current pole pieces; a direct current magnet biasedly suspended from the bottom of the bowl and defiNing a plurality of direct current pole pieces each juxtaposed to and defining air gaps with the alternating current pole pieces; means for selectively supplying direct current to said direct current magnet and alternating current substantially sinusoidally and out of phase to said successive alternating current pole pieces to effect nutation of the bowl and direct current magnet.
 8. A receptacle as set forth in claim 7 wherein the mass of the direct current magnet is generally one-half the mass supported by the bias support means.
 9. A receptacle as set forth in claim 7 wherein said shaking means imparts nutating motion to the bowl.
 10. A self-cleaning ash tray adapted for use with a granular medium comprising: a container having an opening at its upper end; an open bowl biasedly suspended above the opening of the container; said bowl having rim, side and bottom portions, the bowl adapted to contain the granular medium; a screen member suspended from the rim portion and extending generally downwardly juxtaposed the bowl side portion at a spaced distance from the side and bottom portions, said screen member having a mesh greater than the granular medium; means for shaking the bowl in relation to the container to effect, circulating granular medium from the bottom portion, up the side portion and through the screen member sifting the granular medium.
 11. An ash tray as set forth in claim 10 wherein said shaking means is capable of imparting nutating motion to said bowl at generally a point along the geometric axis of the bowl in a plane near the rim portion.
 12. An ash tray as set forth in claim 10 comprising a bezel supported by the container, the bezel extending from the container, over the rim portion and screen member at the rim portion.
 13. An ash tray adapted for use with a granular medium of predetermined size comprising: a stand; an open bowl biasedly suspended on the stand, the bowl having rim, side, and bottom portions; an electro-magnet means for shaking the bowl, electromagnet suspended from the bottom portion with bias members having axes which converge generally at a point at a plane near the rim portion; a screen member extending into the bowl from near the rim portion and spaced from the side and bottom portions a predetermined amount, the screen member having a mesh greater than the granular medium; and means for mounting the screen member in spaced relation with the bowl; whereby activation of the electro-magnet means effects relative movement between the biasedly suspended electro-magnet means and bowl, and shaking of the bowl relative to the stand. 